Awards

List of Awards 2011

Best Major Festival
In association with The Ticket Factory
Some of the most famous acts in the world, tens of thousands of people and multiple arenas, the largest festivals are a regular pilgrimage for many, and a rite of passage for most. But which one is the best of the biggest? (2010 winner: Bestival)

Best Medium-Sized Festival
Not as large as the giants, but by no means in their shadow, these events provide a more
boutique feel, and a more intimate experience. Many start life much smaller, but
have grown to this size due to their popularity. Who will pick up the prize this year? (2010 winner: Green Man)

Best Small Festival
In association with Doodson Entertainment
Often quirky, due to a personal touch and grassroots appeal, the cosiness and sense of community at these festivals is second to none for many people. This award celebrates those who stick to the mantra that small is best. (2010 winner: Kendal Calling)

Fans’ Favourite Festival (NEW)
The UK’s festival scene is the best in the world, with hundreds of events taking place throughout the year covering all genres, age groups and varieties of entertainment. Which one has captured the hearts of festival-goers this year?

Best New Festival
In association with Access All Areas
Once again, a handful of excellent new events were launched this year, bravely taking on those with established reputations. Bringing fresh ideas, new music and alternative audiences to the festival scene, which one have you already put in your diary for next time? (2010 winner: Vintage)

Best Metropolitan Festival
Using the existing infrastructure of a town’s venues, this sector is growing thanks to no need for camping, very little threat from the weather and the ability to take place at any time of the year. Sold either on a show-by-show basis, or an all encompassing wristband, they give people chance to see multiple acts in the comfort of the indoors. Which one had you ditching green fields for the concrete jungle? (2010 winner: Gaymers Camden Crawl)

Best Dance Event
In association with Peppermint Bars
Rock doesn’t have a monopoly on festivals, growing numbers of events solely dedicated to electronic music have been forging a name for themselves as crowds look to dance the day – and night – away to everything from techno to trance and dubstep to house. Which had you reaching for the lasers? (2010 winner: Creamfields)

Best Overseas Festival
Increasing numbers of Brits are heading abroad to get their festival fix, choosing a different culture, new surroundings or sometimes just more reliable weather over home events. Some have become household names the world over for their international appeal. Which one will be voted top by the fans? (2010 winner: Snowbombing)

Best Line-Up
In association with XL Video
Picking the right bill can make or break a festival – no mean feat when there are hundreds of others trying to better you. Whether it’s about securing the biggest names in the world, putting together some special collaborations, or just knowing what the audience wants, our judges are looking for the festival which had the most vision when booking acts. (2010 winner: Rockness)

Headline Performance of the Year
In association with Jägermeister
A remarkable performance by a headliner is the thing that people will talk about for years to come, becoming one of those “I was there” moments. To succeed, it requires energy, musicianship, dedication and creativity. Some acts may be regulars on the festival circuit, but which one stood out from the pack? (2010 winner: AC/DC at Download)

Best Breakthrough Artist
In association with Brothers Cider
So many new acts perform at festivals, hoping to catch the ears of the masses of music-lovers, and secure their place in musical history. This award celebrates the talent which has managed to get the fans and critics to sit up and pay attention. (2010 winner: Mumford & Sons)

Anthem of the Summer
The ultimate test of any song is how it’s received live – and there’s no better place than at festivals. While thousands of great records have been lapped up by millions over the summer, a few stood out as true classics, creating defining festival moments and were sung all the way back to the campsite. Which was your fave? (2010 winner: Florence and the Machine – You Got The Love)

Agent of the Year (NEW!)
In association with IQ magazine
Recognising the booking agent who – in promoters’ opinions – is the best to work with

The Grass Roots Festival Award
In association with ID&C
Often the best small festivals spring from an organic labour of love and a long-time dream which has been shared by thousands more. These festivals should be celebrated, not just for the courage and vision shown by their organisers, but also because they never forget where they’ve come from, supporting their local communities and new music along the way while retaining an independent spirit and resisting commercial saturation. (2010 winner: 2000Trees)
The winner of this award will receive a £1,500 bursary for disability access training with Attitude is Everything, kindly provided by Festival Republic

Concession of the Year
Food and drink at festivals has come in in leaps and bounds in recent years. No longer poor quality, there is a huge variety of wonderous delights to tempt the palate, some even offering entertainment too!

The Greener Festival Award
In association with Robertson Taylor and agreenerfestival.com
The Red Kite mark is awarded by www.agreenerfestival.com on the basis of a questionnaire and where possible an environmental assessment. All festivals must demonstrate that they have coherent green policies promoting environmental efficiency and sustainability, including issues such as CO2 emissions, waste management and recycling. Which is the Greenest of them all? (2010 winner: Croissant Neuf Summer Party)

Best Toilets
In association with Shewee
One of the most talked-about issues at festivals, whether it’s pongy portable loos, the lingering longdrops or the unpleasant urinals, all festival toilets tang, but some stink more than others. Which festival boasted the cleanest cans and the best ratio of toilets to
person? (2010 winner: T in the Park)

Best Family Festival
In association with Showsec
Every year, there seems to be more and more children at festivals, with increasingly impressive areas and facilities for kids reflecting this growth. Games, workshops, kid zones and activities for youngsters all combine to make their weekend a memorable one – and often a much easier one for mums and dads. Which festival was the most enjoyable for kids and parents this year? (2010 winner: Camp Bestival)

Best Sponsor Activation
In association with FMBX magazine
Creating an effective brand strategy around festivals is not easy – this award celebrates the most creative and well thought-out sponsor activity this year. (2010 winner: Coca Cola)

The Extra-Festival Activity Award (NEW!)
In association with Music Week
Music is a vital element of any successful festival, but it’s often the “extras”, such as pop-up performances and mass participation games which fill heads and cameras with memories which last a lifetime. There are so many wonderful creative elements at festivals, but which one was the best?

Outstanding Contribution to Festival Production
In association with TPi
Recognising innovation and dedication in the production industry. (2010 winner: Neil McDonald)

Promoter of the Year
In association with Virtual Festivals
Recognising the festival organiser who has produced an outstanding event, overcome adversity, or truly gone above and beyond the call of duty. (2010 winner: Glastonbury)

The Lifetime Achievement Award
Dedicated to an individual whose personal vision and energy has propelled the entire festival industry forward in a dynamic, creative and positive way. (2010 winner: Geoff Ellis, T in the Park)